Open adoption means less secrecy and information sharing.
An open adoption is one that is not secretive. Since 1995, all adoptions in Western Australia are open.
In the past it was thought that secrecy and anonymity were in the best interests of all involved in an adoption.
Over the years social attitudes to pregnancy outside of marriage have changed. It was realised that the secrecy caused a lot of distress to people affected by adoption.
Effects of adoption on relinquishing mothers and others involved in adoption
Research has shown that many mothers who gave up their children for adoption spent the rest of their lives wondering what happened to their children and grieving for their loss. Research has also confirmed that many adopted people want to know about their original family heritage, without necessarily changing their relationship with their adoptive family.
Adoptive families often lived under the strain of feeling compelled to keep the child’s past a secret. This often lead to the child feeling a sense of shame when they found out that they were adopted.
Open adoption means that the three main parties to an adoption; the child, the birth parents and adoptive parents are aware of each other’s identity.
Adoption Plans that are agreed to by those involved in an adoption
It also means that everyone has an opportunity to agree on future contact and information exchange about the child. This agreement is documented in an Adoption Plan approved by the Family Court of Western Australia.
Intercountry adoptions are not subject to adoption plans. Reports on the child's progress are sent to the country of origin. It is likely that parents will enquire of adoption agencies about a child at a later stage. The provision of information to overseas countries will assist overseas agencies dealing with these parents.
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